For a long time, I thought the most useful question was: “Why is this happening?”
It’s a good question. But lately I’ve found myself asking a different one.
Given this is true... now what?
People will disappoint you. Given that this is true, how will you deal with it?
Organizations change. Given that this is true, what kind of career do you want to build?
Information is currency. Given that this is true, how will you communicate?
Your name is not on the building. Given that this is true, where will you invest your identity?
Nothing lasts forever. Given that this is true, what will you leave behind?
I’ve started to realize that many of the things we struggle with aren’t really problems to solve. They’re conditions to understand. Reality doesn’t always ask us to like it. It asks us to respond to it.
Perhaps that’s what maturity is. Not finding a world where nothing difficult happens. Learning to build something worthwhile in the one we actually have.
I have a feeling this question will shape much of what I write from now on. Given this is true... what follows?